Youth sentenced to six years in jail for assaulting security officers in Paceville, Twain Sciberras named as the attacker

A young man has been handed a six-year jail term for assaulting a security officer inside a bar’s toilets and attacking another guard on a street in Paceville. The incidents occurred four years ago while the youth was out bowling and clubbing with his uncle.

The accused, Twain Sciberras, was 19 years old at the time and had a relatively clean criminal record. The evening started innocently enough as Sciberras and his uncle decided to go bowling in Paceville. After the game, they decided to have a drink at Bacco Bar.

However, things took a turn for the worse when Sciberras’ uncle, known as “Temi from Marsa,” became impatient with the foreign barman who failed to take his order promptly. A bouncer, responsible for maintaining security at the club, intervened to calm down the irate customer who began shouting and swearing aggressively.

The situation escalated when Sciberras joined the scene, insulting the bouncer and menacingly claiming that he was accustomed to being in the company of dangerous individuals. Allegedly, both Sciberras and his uncle threatened to harm the bouncer if he called for assistance.

In an attempt to prevent further escalation in front of other patrons, the security officer invited the two men to the bar toilets for a conversation.

Violence Unleashed in the Bar Toilets

However, instead of diffusing the situation, the conversation turned violent. As the verbal threats continued, Sciberras blocked the bouncer’s path while his uncle grabbed him by the waist. Sciberras then allegedly produced a knuckleduster and unleashed a flurry of blows on the bouncer’s face and head. During the attack, one of the assailants also snatched the bouncer’s radio and smashed it on the floor, preventing him from calling for help.

The bouncer suffered a split lip that required 18 stitches and sustained severe injuries above his left eye. A medical expert later confirmed that these injuries resulted in a 5% permanent debility and a visible scar, even from a distance.

This incident occurred at approximately 8 pm.

Later that evening, a security guard on duty at the nearby Eden Cinemas heard a commotion and witnessed two men fighting. Sciberras, one of the fighters, confronted the security guard, demanding to know why he was looking at him. In a fit of rage, Sciberras kicked a dustbin forcefully, sending it flying into the middle of the street.

When the security officer sarcastically remarked on his actions, both Sciberras and his uncle attacked him, causing facial injuries that required suturing. A forensic doctor later confirmed that the victim had suffered a fracture above the eye and experienced eyesight problems.

As a result of these incidents, Sciberras faced charges of grievous bodily harm, insults and threats, willful breach of public peace, and carrying a weapon without a police license. The accused pleaded not guilty, denying the victims’ version of events.

During interrogation, Sciberras claimed that the bouncer had initially challenged his uncle to a fight near the toilets, and he had intervened to defend his family member. However, he denied using a knuckleduster. His uncle supported this version of events, stating that the bouncer had verbally abused and attacked them. They fled the bar, fearing further violence from other bouncers.

However, the court dismissed their version of events concerning the first incident after reviewing CCTV footage from the bar.

Severe Consequences and Sentencing

Upon closely examining the footage multiple times, the court described Sciberras’ actions as “shocking” and completely unprovoked. The court clearly observed the metal knuckleduster used during the attack. Even after the victim was knocked down, Sciberras continued to kick and assault him.

The court found Sciberras guilty of the first attack based on the CCTV evidence. Although the prosecution failed to produce footage for the second incident, other evidence substantiated the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

Considering Sciberras’ lack of remorse and failure to apologize to the victims, the court determined that no punishment could fully compensate for the consequences they suffered. Nevertheless, acknowledging that Sciberras was a young man with a relatively clean record at the time of the incident and had since matured, become a tradesman, and a father, the court had to impose an effective prison sentence.

Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia sentenced Sciberras to six years in jail, subtracting the time he had already spent in preventive custody. The court also issued a three-year restraining order in favor of the victims and ordered Sciberras to cover court expert expenses amounting to €555.70.

Inspector Leeroy Balzan Engerer prosecuted the case, while lawyers Joe Giglio and Roberto Montalto represented the victims.